Alcohol and gambling companies gave $2.5M in donations to major Australian political parties

New data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has revealed that alcohol and gambling companies, along with lobby groups, poured AUD $2.5 million ($1.6 million USD) into donations for the country’s major political parties during the 2023-24 financial year.

According to the study, companies that profit solely from alcohol donated $998,000, while those making money only from gambling contributed $661,000. Businesses with a stake in both alcohol and gambling gave $815,000.

When it comes to where the money went, 61% of these donations flowed to the Australian Labor Party (ALP), while 38% went to the Liberal National Party (LNP).

The 2023-24 annual financial disclosure returns will be published on our Transparency Register on Monday.

The returns include financial information, such as donations and expenditure, from various entities, parties, MPs & senators and donors. https://t.co/u1Ig7bPjqb

— AEC (@AusElectoralCom) January 31, 2025

The top five donors were said to be the Australian Hotels Association and Queensland Hotels Association, Endeavour Group, Tabcorp Holdings, Clubs NSW/Australia and Sportsbet.

Campaign groups call for ban on donations from gambling companies and lobbies

Following the release of the latest donation figures via the AEC Transparency Register, advocacy groups Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR) have renewed their push to ban political donations from alcohol and gambling companies altogether.

Alcohol and gambling companies and their lobby groups should not be allowed to make political donations.

When harmful industries give money to political parties, we all lose – because corporations are buying influence that harms our community’s health and wellbeing.